Calenda holds a Law Degree and served as Head of Customer Relationship Management and Financial Institutions Relationship at Ferrari, as Head of the Marketing Department at Sky and then as Director of the Strategic and International Affairs Area at Confindustria during the Presidency of Luca Cordero di Montezemolo. His political career started with the Association Italia Futura founded by Montezemolo, before his passage to Scelta Civica, led by Mario Monti – with whom he run for the 2013 political election without being elected though. He was appointed as Vice Minister at the Ministry of Economic Development during the Enrico Letta government, being then reconfirmed by Matteo Renzi. He joined the Democratic Party in February 2015.
Calenda is to take Ambassador Stefano Sannino’s post, who was appointed by Enrico Letta in May 2013. Even though Sannino is very much appreciated in Brussels, given his preparation and ability and the positions he held – first in the Cabinet of the then President of the European Commission Romano Prodi, and as Director General of the DG Neighbourhood and Enlargement Negotiations later – PM Renzi decided to replace him ahead of time for having someone tougher and less incline to dialogue than Sannino.
